ADVANCE PURCHASE COMMITMENTS PROGRAM

HB 524 creates a state program requiring New Mexico's Department of Transportation to award binding agreements (3+ years in advance) to private companies producing low-emission cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixtures. It directly affects construction material producers who must provide environmental data (like product declarations or life-cycle assessments) proving emissions reductions meeting federal thresholds. The department prioritizes awards based on verified emissions cuts, material suitability, market availability potential, and carbon mineralization (if net emissions remain negative). The program aims to boost demand for cleaner construction materials, with a July 2025 effective date, though the bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.